Education

From the start of her performing career, Nicola has been a passionate and committed campaigner for music and arts in education and she continues to work to raise awareness and appreciation of music amongst young people, leaders, and the general public.

More and more is being added to the already huge amount of credible and evidence-based research showing that embedding music into a young person’s learning not only enriches their lives by exposing them to music making and listening but also improves concentration, teamwork, discipline and confidence. Nicola is passionate about sharing this message; and about promoting music education practices which focus on both musical excellence and on creating content, committed and compassionate individuals.

Through her roles and projects, Nicola aims to provide, encourage and advocate for the highest possible quality and quantity of music education for young people across the UK. This is achieved through self-initiated projects such as The Benedetti Sessions (see below); workshops in schools, with youth orchestras and with higher education institutions; and through special partnerships and named positions with a number of leading national music organisations.

Nicola is a Board Member and official Big Sister of Sistema Scotland, which now has centres in Raploch, Govanhill, Torrie and Douglas, and is building significant evidence as to the social impact that music education can have on children living in areas with high levels of social deprivation. Nicola is also Vice President of the National Children’s Orchestra, Patron of the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland’s Junior Orchestra, the Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Music in Secondary Schools Trust, The Cumnock Tryst and many others.

Supporting the exceptional work of music teachers across the country is another key element to Nicola’s work. A close relationship with the European String Teachers Association has enabled Nicola to collaborate on events which bring teachers together to discuss teaching practices, share ideas and demonstrate great work in music education.

Bringing people together is something that Nicola sees as key to all her work for young people. Through her significant connections and position as a national role model, Nicky can create common ground for diverse musical organisations to work together, share learning and maximise resource. She is currently developing ideas for a new Young Persons’ Orchestra, a series of online Practice Tips videos, and special projects bringing wide ranges of organisations and individuals together to celebrate and further music and music education.

MiSST Strings Workshop London 2017

Over the course of three days from 21 – 23 September 2017 Nicky participated in an intensive strings workshop at Highbury Grove School in Islington with the Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST) The aims of the workshop were as follows • To raise the standard of string playing • To develop further the skills […]

The Nicola Benedetti Strings Festival

On May 6 and 7 the European String Teachers Association (ESTA) and Saffron Hall joined forces with Nicola to present a weekend of activities and events devoted to the teaching and learning of stringed instruments. Presented by ESTA in partnership with Saffron Hall, this two-day festival was the first collaboration between the two organisations, and had been designed […]

Three conservatoires, three master classes, one week.

On Tuesday, January 10th, all eyes were on Nicola Benedetti as she led a masterclass from London’s famed Royal Academy of Music. The class was broadcast on Facebook Live and has been viewed over 40,000 times to date! It was a rare opportunity for music-lovers, students and those in academia to witness what goes on within the walls of […]

STRING DAY, KILMARNOCK , SCOTLAND PHOTOGRAPHER: Mike Scott March 2016

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL BENEDETTI SESSIONS

Cheltenham Festival invited Nicola to be their Artist in Residence in June 2014. As well as performing with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and with her Trio, Nicola worked with the Festival Education Department to bring the “Benedetti Sessions” workshop to children from the Gloucestershire area. A large number of children joined forces with Nicola to […]

Concerto for the Commonwealth Summer School with Nicola Benedetti at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

In August 2014, Nicola worked with secondary school children on the “Concerto for the Commonwealth” summer school project with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. This gave young students an opportunity to immerse themselves rehearsing and playing the Beethoven Violin Concerto alongside Nicola. The students were able to improve their performing skills and be mentored by […]